MEHDI Nafti will be missing when Blues report back in earnest for pre-season training tomorrow - but there is no cause for alarm.

The midfielder hobbled off the pitch when Tunisia were eliminated from the World Cup in their final group game against Ukraine.

But his injured knee has not been damaged again, and after a few days treatment and rest in France, where he has a home, Nafti will link up with Blues at the training camp in Spain next month.

"Nafti's fine, his knee is OK, there was nothing major," said first-team coach Eric Black. "He will be joining up with us over in Spain and he will be ready to go."

Nafti suffered cruciate ligament damage during the La Coruna tournament at the end of August and made his comeback on the final day of the season.

He started Tunisia's last two games in Germany and Black said he should be given enormous credit for recovering as he has.

"He hasn't yet completely recovered his old sharpness but he deserves a massive pat on the back for even being on that stage."

The Toulouse-born former Racing Santander player fully recovered would be a major boon to Blues during the coming season.

The rest of Blues' squad were split into three groups and had a stag-gered check-in at Wast Hills today to undergo a variety of personal fitness tests and checks, as well as a briefing about the forthcoming campaign and protocols.

Tomorrow they will assemble as one at the West Heath HQ to begin the serious stuff.